The component-level performance of materials is fundamentally determined by the underlying microstructural features. Therefore, designing high-performance materials using multi-scale models plays a significant role to improve the predictability, reliability, proper functioning, and longevity of components for a wide range of applications in the fields of aerospace, electronics, energy, and structural engineering. This thesis aims to develop new methodologies to design microstructures under inherent material uncertainty by incorporating machine learning techniques. To achieve this objective, the study addresses gradient-based and machine learning-driven design optimization methods to enhance homogenized linear and non-linear properties of polycrystalline microstructures. However, variations arising from the thermo-mechanical processing of materials affect microstructural features and properties by propagating over multiple length scales. To quantify this inherent microstructural uncertainty, this study introduces a linear programming-based analytical method. When this analytical uncertainty quantification formulation is not applicable (e.g., uncertainty propagation on non-linear properties), a machine learning-based inverse design approach is presented to quantify the microstructural uncertainty. Example design problems are discussed for different polycrystalline systems (e.g., Titanium, Aluminium, and Galfenol). Though conventional machine learning performs well when used for designing microstructures or modeling material properties, its predictions may still fail to satisfy design constraints associated with the physics of the system. Therefore, the physics-informed neural network (PINN) is developed to incorporate problem physics in the machine learning formulation. In this study, a PINN model is built and integrated into materials design to study the deformation processes of Copper and a Titanium-Aluminum alloy. / Doctor of Philosophy / Microstructure-sensitive design is a high-throughput computational approach for materials design, where material performance is improved through the control and design of microstructures. It enhances component performance and, subsequently, the overall system's performance at the application level. This thesis aims to design microstructures for polycrystalline materials such as Galfenol, Titanium-Aluminum alloys, and Copper to obtain desired mechanical properties for certain applications. The advantage of the microstructure-sensitive design approach is that multiple microstructures can be suggested, which provide a similar value of the design parameters. Therefore, manufacturers can follow any of these microstructure designs to fabricate the materials with the desired properties. Moreover, the microstructure uncertainty arising from the variations in thermo-mechanical processing and measurement of the experimental data is quantified. It is necessary to address the resultant randomness of the microstructure because it can alter the expected mechanical properties. To check the manufacturability of proposed microstructure designs, a physics-informed machine learning model is developed to build a relation between the process, microstructure, and material properties. This model can be used to solve the process design problem to identify the processing parameters to achieve a given/desired microstructure.

Cette thèse veut enquêter sur la diffusion du discours sur la durabilité urbaine en France et sur son rôle dans le projet de ville et de territoire : l'émergence du développement durable a été abordée comme une problématique ouverte, plutôt qu'une série de solutions fermées. Notre posture critique nous permet d'enquêter la notion de durabilité d'un point de vue qui est profondément lié à la réflexion et la praxis du projet de territoire ; nous nous sommes donc centrés sur les cultures disciplinaires, en nous penchant en particulier sur les acteurs de la conception. La question de la consistance et de l'utilité de la notion de figure nous a permis d'effectuer une mise en perspective des questions actuelles, notamment par rapport au débat italien sur les outils critiques du projet. La recherche que nous avons mené semble nous indiquer que la question de la « métropole durable » est en train de modifier les équilibres et le sens des différentes figures à l'oeuvre dans le territoire de Strasbourg, dans ses représentations aussi bien que dans les récits des acteurs. / This dissertation aims at exploring on the diffusion of sustainability in France and its role in urban and large-scale design. To this aim, the arising of sustainable urban development is regarded as a set of problems, rather than a set of solutions. Our critical position allows us to challenge the notion of sustainability from a viewpoint that is profoundly linked to reflection and practice of the large-scale project; we therefore have focused on disciplinary cultures, particularly those concerning design and planning stakeholders. The notion of figure, the issue of its consistency and relevance has allowed us to put into perspective contemporary topics, especially referring to the Italian debate on tools of design thinking. Concerning the Strasbourg case-study, our research suggests that the “sustainable metropolis” is changing meanings and relationships between different figures operating in its territory and its representations, as well as its narratives. / Questa tesi vuole, in prima istanza, raccontare la diffusione della sostenibilità in Francia, dal punto di vista della sua “declinazione urbana”, e indagare il suo ruolo all'interno del progetto urbanistico e territoriale. Viene quindi presentata l'emergenza dello sviluppo sostenibile, non tanto come una soluzione, quanto come una problematica: vengono messe in luce le sue contraddizioni, le questioni che esso pone, le tensioni tra i suoi elementi costitutivi. La scelta di una postura critica permette di indagare la nozione di sostenibilità da un punto di vista profondamente legato alla riflessione e alla pratica del progetto di territorio; ci siamo quindi concentrati sulle culture disciplinari, in particolare sugli attori del progetto. La questione della consistenza e dell'utilità della nozione di figura ha costituito per noi il mezzo per riallacciarci al dibattito italiano sugli strumenti critici del progetto, interrogandone la pertinenza in una prospettiva contemporanea. La ricerca effettuata sembra indicare che la questione della métropole durable a Strasburgo stia modificando gli equilibri e i significati delle diverse figure operanti sul territorio, al livello delle sue rappresentazioni e del racconto degli attori

The purpose of this study was to propose and evaluate a procedure for revising an existing self-administered survey that is in need of item revision and/or scale reduction while maximizing validity and reliability. The procedure was demonstrated using the Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment (CEST; Joe, Broome, Rowan-Szal, & Simpson, 2002), a self-administered survey used in drug and alcohol treatment agencies. The procedure included confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses of a large dataset of completed CEST surveys, a readability analysis, and cognitive interviewing of two different groups of respondents to determine what problems they might have with CEST items. The cognitive interviewing revealed a number of issues that led to confusion among respondents, including items with two distinct concepts embedded, items containing absolutes and vague qualifiers, misinterpreted items, and terms and phrases respondents had difficulty understanding. The CEST was also judged to be long and potentially burdensome to respondents. Based on the results of this evaluation, a new survey—the Brief Assessment of Self in Context (BASIC)—also intended for use by substance abuse treatment providers, was constructed. First, factor analyses of the CEST and advice from an expert panel were used to determine which scales to retain. Next, quantitative analyses and cognitive interviewing helped determine which CEST items to retain and which to revise. Readability, sound item writing principles, and response format and scale requirements were also used to determine which items to include in the initial draft of the BASIC and guided item construction when needed. After the panel of experts provided feedback on the first revision, a final draft was prepared. Another round of cognitive interviewing was followed by administration of the final draft of the survey to a representative sample. The results indicated that the BASIC’s items are clear, unambiguous, and easy to interact with and understand, and that the instrument is an improvement over the CEST. In brief, the procedure demonstrated in this study produced a psychometrically sound instrument composed of items that are easy for respondents to access. / text

Η μελέτη ενός πειράματος μικρής πιλοτικής κλίμακας, με δύο παράλληλα συστήματα ρηχών λεκανών (ύψους 0.35m), η μία λεκάνη με φύτευση του είδους Typha Latifolia και η άλλη χωρίς φύτευση, διεξάχθηκε για τον σχεδιασμό ελεύθερης επιφανειακής ροής (FWS) τεχνητού υγροτόπου. Οι δύο λεκάνες τροφοδοτήθηκαν με πραγματικά αστικά λύματα όπου οι χρόνοι παραμονής κυμάνθηκαν από 27,6 έως 38,0 ημέρες. Η μεταβολή του όγκου κάθε λεκάνης παρακολουθήθηκε για 2 συνεχή έτη και ταυτόχρονα υπολογίστηκαν οι ρυθμοί βροχόπτωσης και εξάτμισης. Η διαφορά του όγκου μεταξύ των δύο λεκανών οφειλόταν στην πρόσληψη νερού από τα φυτά, η οποία συγκρίθηκε με τις προβλέψεις της εξατμισοδιαπνοής παρόμοιων φυτών με την χρήση του υπολογιστικού προγράμματος REF-ET. Η συγκομιδή των φυτών πραγματοποιήθηκε τρείς φορές στην διάρκεια του 1ου έτους του πειράματος, ώστε να εκτιμηθεί ο ρυθμός πρόσληψης αζώτου από τα φυτά. Η σημαντικότερη διαφορά των δύο συστημάτων ήταν η αφαίρεση νερού μέσω της εξατμισοδιαπνοής των φυτών. Η πιλοτική μονάδα λειτούργησε έτσι ώστε να επιτευχθεί και απομάκρυνση της οργανικής ύλης (BOD5) και του ολικού αζώτου (TN) από τα λύματα. Ο σχεδιασμός της διευκόλυνε την ανάπτυξη ενός μαθηματικού μοντέλου, ακολουθώντας το πλαίσιο του μοντέλου της ενεργής ιλύος (ASM). Αρχικά το μαθηματικό μοντέλο αναπτύχθηκε για τις δύο λεκάνες με τις μικροβιακές διεργασίες που επικράτησαν στο εσωτερικό τους, ώστε να περιγραφεί πλήρως η συμπεριφορά τους. Η προσομοίωση και η εκτίμηση των παραμέτρων του μοντέλου επιτεύχθηκε με την χρήση του υπολογιστικού περιβάλλοντος του AQUASIM. Οι κύριες διεργασίες που ελήφθησαν υπόψη για την μοντελοποίηση ήταν η αμμωνιοποίηση, η αερόβια ετεροτροφική ανάπτυξη, η νιτροποίηση και η ανάπτυξη φυκών. Μια ισχυρή εποχική εξάρτηση παρατηρήθηκε για την συμπεριφορά κάθε λεκάνης όταν το μοντέλο εφαρμόστηκε για το 1ο έτος του πειράματος. Αυτό το μοντέλο επαληθεύτηκε ικανοποιητικά με τα πειραματικά δεδομένα του 2ου έτους. Η παρατηρούμενη μέση ετήσια απόδοση απομάκρυνσης του BOD5 και του TN ήταν 60% και 69%, αντίστοιχα για την λεκάνη χωρίς φυτά και 83% και 75%, αντίστοιχα για την λεκάνη με φυτά. Το μοντέλο προέβλεψε μέση ετήσια απόδοση απομάκρυνσης 82% για το BOD5 και 65% για το TN στην λεκάνη με φυτά, ικανοποιώντας τα κριτήρια για τον σχεδιασμό πλήρους κλίμακας τεχνητού υγροτόπου . Η ικανότητα του μοντέλου να προβλέπει όχι μόνο την απομάκρυνση της οργανικής ύλης αλλά και του ολικού αζώτου, θεωρήθηκε επαρκής όταν δοκιμάστηκε με έναν ελεύθερης επιφανειακής ροής τεχνητό υγρότοπο με 400 ισοδύναμο πληθυσμό, με μοναδική τροποποίηση τον συνυπολογισμό του περιορισμού του οξυγόνου στον ρυθμό της διεργασίας της νιτροποίησης. Επομένως, το δυναμικό μοντέλο διαμορφώθηκε με την ενσωμάτωση της πρόβλεψης του ρυθμού της εξατμισοδιαπνοής των φυτών και χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τον σχεδιασμό περίπτωσης μελέτης τεχνητού υγροτόπου πλήρους κλίμακας. Τα στοιχεία που απαιτούνται για αυτό τον σχεδιασμό περιλάμβαναν την παροχή εισόδου και κλιματολογικά στοιχεία (θερμοκρασίας και βροχόπτωσης) για την περιοχή του σχεδιασμού, καθώς και οι απαιτήσεις της ποιότητας εκροής. Η περίπτωση μελέτης για 4000 ισοδύναμο πληθυσμό όπου η ποιότητα εκροής ήταν σε μέσες ετήσιες τιμές BOD5=25mg/L και TN=15mg/L, χρειάστηκε μία συνολική επιφάνεια υγροτόπου 11 εκταρίων. Εάν χρησιμοποιηθούν δύο λεκάνες σε σειρά, η 1η με φυτά και η 2η χωρίς, τότε η συνολική επιφάνεια μειώνεται κατά περίπου 27%, ελέγχοντας μόνο την αρχική μέγιστη φύτευση της πρώτης λεκάνης του υγροτόπου. / The study at pilot-scale of two parallel systems with shallow basins (height h=0.35m), one planted with Typha Latiofolia and the other without vegetation, was conducted for the modeling of free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland systems. The basins were fed with real sewage at retention times ranging from 27.6 to 38.0 days. The variation of the volume in each basin was monitored for two consecutive years and simultaneously, rainfall and evaporation rates were calculated. The difference of the volume between the basins was due to the water absorption by the plants and was compared with the predictions of evapotranspiration rates of similar plants using the REF-ET calculation software. The harvesting of the plants was performed three times during the first year, in order to estimate the nitrogen uptake by the plants. The main difference in the two systems was the water removal through plant evapotranspiration. The pilot unit was operated so as to achieve the removal of both organic matter (BOD5) and total nitrogen (TN) from the sewage. Its design enabled the development of a mathematical model, following the framework of the activated sludge model (ASM). The simulation and the parameter estimation were achieved using the AQUASIM framework. The mathematical model describes the microbial processes, which dominated within the basins describing satisfactorily their behavior. The key processes accounted for in the modeling were ammonification, aerobic heterotrophic growth, nitrification and algal growth. A strong seasonal dependence was observed for each basin. The model was satisfactorily validated with the data of the second year. An observed average annual removal efficiency of BOD5 and TN were 60% and 69%, respectively for the basin without plants and 83% and 75%, respectively for the basin with plants. The model predicted average annual removal efficiency 82% for BOD5 and 65% for TN in the basin with plants, satisfying the design criteria of a full-scale constructed wetland. The ability of the model to predict not only the removal of organic matter but also total nitrogen removal, was considered sufficient as tested with a real free water surface constructed wetland of 400 population equivalent, with the sole modification being the inclusion of oxygen limitation in the nitrification rate. The dynamic model was amended with the direct incorporation of the plant evapotranspiration rate and it was used to design a full-scale constructed wetland. The required elements for this design included the inflow rate and climatic data (temperature and rainfall) for the design region, as well as the effluent quality requirements. In the case study of 4000 population equivalent, the effluent quality requirement was: average annual values for BOD5=25mg/L and for TN=15mg/L. The model was used to determine a total wetland surface requirement of 11ha. If two sequential basins are used, the first with plants and the second without, then the total wetland surface could be reduced by approximately 27%, controlling only the maximum initial vegetation in the first wetland basin.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Anaerobic MBRs (AnMBRs) can provide the desired step towards sustainable wastewater treatment, broadening the range of application of anaerobic biotechnology to low-strength wastewaters (e.g. urban ones) or extreme environmental conditions (e.g. low operating temperatures). This alternative technology gathers the advantages of anaerobic treatment processes (e.g. low energy demand stemming from no aeration and energy recovery through methane production) jointly with the benefits of membrane technology (e.g. high quality effluent, and reduced space requirements). It is important to highlight that AnMBR may offer the possibility of operation in energy neutral or even being a net energy producer due to biogas generation. Other aspects that must be taken into account in AnMBR are the quality and nutrient recovery potential of the effluent and the low amount of sludge generated, which are of vital importance when assessing the environmental impact of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The main aim of this Ph.D. thesis is to assess the economic and environmental sustainability of AnMBR technology for urban wastewater treatment at ambient temperature. Specifically, this thesis focusses on the following aspects: (1) development of a detailed and comprehensive plant-wide energy model for assessing the energy demand of different wastewater treatment systems at both steady- and unsteady-state conditions; (2) proposal of a design methodology for AnMBR technology and identification of optimal AnMBR-based configurations by applying an overall life cycle cost (LCC) analysis; (3) life cycle assessment (LCA) of AnMBR-based technology at different temperatures; and (4) evaluation of the overall sustainability (economic and environmental) of AnMBR for urban wastewater treatment. In this research work, a plant-wide energy model coupled to the extended version of the plant-wide mathematical model BNRM2 is proposed. The proposed energy model was used for assessing the energy performance of different wastewater treatment processes. In order to propose a guidelines for designing AnMBR at full-scale and to identify optimal AnMBR-based configurations, the proposed energy model and LCC were used. LCA was used to assess the environmental performance of AnMBR-based technology at different temperatures. An overall sustainability (economic and environmental) assessment was conducted for: (a) assessing the implications of design and operating decisions by including sensitivity and uncertainty analysis and navigating trade-offs across environmental and economic criteria.; and (b) comparing AnMBR to aerobic-based technologies for urban wastewater treatment. This Ph.D. thesis is enclosed in a national research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation entitled "Using membrane technology for the energetic recovery of wastewater organic matter and the minimisation of the sludge produced" (MICINN project CTM2008-06809-C02-01/02). To obtain representative results that could be extrapolated to full-scale plants, this research work was carried out in an AnMBR system featuring industrial-scale hollow-fibre membrane units that was operated using effluent from the pre-treatment of the Carraixet WWTP (Valencia, Spain). / [ES] El reactor anaerobio de membranas sumergidas (AnMBR) puede proporcionar el paso deseado hacia un tratamiento sostenible del agua residual, ampliando la aplicabilidad de la biotecnología anaerobia al tratamiento de aguas residuales de baja carga (ej. agua residual urbana) o a condiciones medioambientales extremas (ej. bajas temperaturas de operación). Esta tecnología combina las ventajas de los procesos de tratamiento anaerobio (baja demanda energética gracias a la ausencia de aireación y a la recuperación energética a través de la producción de metano) con los beneficios de la tecnología de membranas (ej. efluente de alta calidad y reducidas necesidades de espacio). Cabe destacar que la tecnología AnMBR permite la posibilidad del autoabastecimiento energético del sistema debido a la generación de biogás. Otros aspectos que se deben considerar en el sistema AnMBR son el potencial de recuperación de nutrientes, la calidad del efluente generado y la baja cantidad de fangos producidos, siendo todos ellos de vital importancia cuando se evalúa el impacto medioambiental de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas. El objetivo principal de esta tesis doctoral es evaluar la sostenibilidad económica y medioambiental de la tecnología AnMBR para el tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas a temperatura ambiente. Concretamente, esta tesis se centra en las siguientes tareas: (1) desarrollo de un modelo de energía detallado y completo que permita evaluar la demanda energética global de diferentes sistemas de tratamiento de aguas residuales tanto en régimen estacionario como en transitorio; (2) propuesta de una metodología de diseño e identificación de configuraciones óptimas para la implementación de la tecnología AnMBR, aplicando para ello un análisis del coste de ciclo de vida (CCV); (3) análisis del ciclo de vida (ACV) de la tecnología AnMBR a diferentes temperaturas; y (4) evaluación global de la sostenibilidad (económica y medioambiental) de la tecnología AnMBR para el tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas. En este trabajo de investigación se propone un modelo de energía acoplado a la versión extendida del modelo matemático BNRM2. El modelo de energía propuesto se usó para evaluar la eficiencia energía de diferentes procesos de tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas. Con el fin de proponer unas directrices para el diseño de AnMBR a escala industrial e identificar las configuraciones óptimas para la implementación de dicha tecnología, se aplicaron tanto el modelo de energía propuesto como un análisis CCV. El ACV se usó para evaluar la viabilidad medioambiental de la tecnología AnMBR a diferentes temperaturas. En este trabajo se llevó a cabo una evaluación global de la sostenibilidad (económica y medioambiental) de la tecnología AnMBR para: (a) evaluar las implicaciones que conllevan ciertas decisiones durante el diseño y operación de dicha tecnología mediante un análisis de sensibilidad e incertidumbre, y examinar las contrapartidas en función de criterios económicos y medioambientales; y (b) comparar la tecnología AnMBR con tecnologías basadas en procesos aerobios para el tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas. Esta tesis doctoral está integrada en un proyecto nacional de investigación, subvencionado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), con título "Modelación de la aplicación de la tecnología de membranas para la valorización energética de la materia orgánica del agua residual y la minimización de los fangos producidos" (MICINN, proyecto CTM2008-06809-C02-01/02). Para obtener resultados representativos que puedan ser extrapolados a plantas reales, esta tesis doctoral se ha llevado a cabo utilizando un sistema AnMBR que incorpora módulos comerciales de membrana de fibra hueca. Además, esta planta es alimentada con el efluente del pre-tratamiento de la EDAR del Barranco del Carraixet (Valencia, España). / [CA] El reactor anaerobi de membranes submergides (AnMBR) pot proporcionar el pas desitjat cap a un tractament d'aigües residuals sostenible, i suposa una extensió en l'aplicabilitat de la biotecnologia anaeròbia al tractament d'aigües residuals amb baixa càrrega (p.e. aigua residual urbana) o a condicions mediambientals extremes (p.e. baixes temperatures d'operació). Aquesta tecnologia alternativa reuneix els avantatges dels processos de tractament anaerobi (baixa demanda d'energia per l'estalvi de l'aireig i possibilitat de recuperació energètica per la producció de metà), conjuntament amb els beneficis de l'ús de de la tecnologia de membranes (p.e efluent d'alta qualitat, i reduïdes necessitats d'espai). Cal destacar que la tecnologia AnMBR permet la possibilitat de l'autoabastiment energètic del sistema degut a la generació de biogàs. Altres aspectes que s'han de considerar en el sistema AnMBR són el potencial de recuperació de nutrients, la qualitat de l'efluent i la baixa quantitat de fang generat, tots ells de vital importància quan s'avalua l'impacte mediambiental d'una planta de tractament d'aigües residuals urbanes. L'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi doctoral és avaluar la sostenibilitat econòmica i mediambiental de la tecnologia AnMBR per al tractament d'aigües residuals urbanes a temperatura ambient. Concretament, aquesta tesi se centra en les tasques següents: (1) desenrotllament d'un detallat i complet model d'energia per al conjunt de la planta a fi d'avaluar la demanda d'energia de diferents sistemes de tractament d'aigües residuals tant en règim estacionari com en transitori; (2) proposta d'una metodologia de disseny i identificació de les configuracions òptimes de la tecnologia AnMBR mitjançant l'aplicació una anàlisi del cost de tot el cicle de vida (CCV) ; (3) anàlisi del cicle de vida (ACV) de la tecnologia AnMBR a diferents temperatures; i (4) avaluació global de la sostenibilitat (econòmica i mediambiental) de la tecnologia AnMBR per al tractament d'aigües residuals urbanes. En aquest treball d'investigació es proposa un model d'energia a nivell de tota la planta acoblat a la versió estesa del model matemàtic BNRM2. El model d'energia proposat s'ha utilitzat per a avaluar l'eficiència energètica de diferents processos de tractament d'aigües residuals urbanes. A fi de proposar unes directrius per al disseny d'AnMBR a escala industrial i identificar les configuracions òptimes de la tecnologia AnMBR, s'ha aplicat tant el model d'energia proposat, com el cost del cicle de vida (CCV). L'anàlisi del cicle de vida (ACV) s'ha utilitzat per a avaluar el rendiment mediambiental de la tecnologia AnMBR a diferents temperatures. En aquest treball s'ha dut a terme una avaluació global de la sostenibilitat (econòmica i mediambiental) de la tecnologia AnMBR per a: (a) avaluar les implicacions de les decisions de disseny i operació per mitjà d'una anàlisi de sensibilitat i incertesa i examinar les contrapartides en funció de criteris econòmics i mediambientals; i (b) comparar la tecnologia AnMBR amb tecnologies basades en processos aerobis per al tractament d'aigües residuals urbanes. Aquesta tesi doctoral està integrada en un projecte nacional d'investigació, subvencionat pel Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), amb títol "Modelación de la aplicación de la tecnología de membranas para la valorización energética de la materia orgánica del agua residual y la minimización de los fangos producidos" (MICINN, projecte CTM2008-06809-C02-01/02). Per a obtenir resultats representatius que puguen ser extrapolats a plantes reals, aquesta tesi doctoral s'ha dut a terme utilitzant un sistema AnMBR que incorpora mòduls comercials de membrana de fibra buida. A més, aquesta planta és alimentada amb l'efluent del pretractament de l'EDAR del Barranc del Carraixet (València, Espanya). / Pretel Jolis, R. (2015). Environmental and economic sustainability of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors treating urban wastewater [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/58864 / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales / Compendio

<p dir="ltr">This dissertation explores the intricate dynamics between the self-perceptions of undergraduate mathematics (UM) educators and their conceptions of excellent teaching practices conducive to student learning. Employing a sequential mixed methods approach, the study addresses two primary research questions. First, it investigates educators' self-perceptions within the realm of UM teaching, examining potential variances based on educators' Professional Status and Educational Institution (PSEI) affiliations and experience levels. Second, it delves into educators' perspectives on aspects of excellent UM teaching, scrutinizing potential disparities rooted in PSEI affiliations and experience levels, while also exploring the manifestations of Mathematics Teachers' Specialized Knowledge (MTSK) and teaching self-concept within these descriptors.</p><p dir="ltr">Drawing upon Shavelson's self-concept (1976) framework and Carrillo and colleagues' (2018) MTSK framework, data collection involved a Likert-style questionnaire augmented by open-ended inquiries, followed by qualitative case studies featuring eight participants from diverse Carnegie classifications. Findings demonstrate educators' overall confidence in their teaching abilities, with notable discrepancies observed among educators from associate's colleges and doctoral universities. Through thematic analysis, key dimensions of excellent teaching emerged, including active learning, student engagement, problem-solving, and positive learning environments.</p><p dir="ltr">This study yields implications for educational practice and institutional policy. Educators can leverage identified themes to inform professional development initiatives tailored to enhance UM teaching effectiveness. Furthermore, the validated instrument offers institutions a means to assess educators' confidence levels, facilitating targeted support within mathematics departments.</p><p dir="ltr">In conclusion, this dissertation contributes valuable insights into the multifaceted interplay between educators' self-perceptions, teaching practices, and student learning outcomes within the context of UM instruction.</p>